{% include "includes/auth/janrain/signIn_traditional.html" with message='It looks like you are already verified. If you still have trouble signing in, you probably need a new confirmation link email.' %}

The Hurricanes will practice on the revamped Greentree Practice Fields, which include a new artificial turf surface. (J.C. Ridley/@miamihurricanes)

Q: So where and when are they gonna practice?

A: After Al Golden kicks things off Monday morning by addressing the media (11:30 a.m.), the Hurricanes begin practice Tuesday at Greentree Practice Fields (on UM’s campus in Coral Gables). Tuesday’s practice starts at 3:20 p.m. Times for the rest of the practices are TBA. UM will likely practice five or six days a week, with several scrimmages, until the week before the Mon., Sept. 1 season-opener at Louisville.

Which, if you’re reading this on Monday, is 29 days away.

Q: What are your plans for covering camp?

A: As we interview players, coaches and key figures and watch every possible second of camp, we’ll have near-daily stories and blog posts breaking news, analyzing the program and addressing its key issues. We’ll be tweeting voraciously and posting photos on Instagram, shooting and producing videos several times a week and appearing on local radio stations to talk all things Canes. For us, the next few weeks are going to be a blur, but we hope you’ll enjoy the ride.

We want to be your must-read for Canes coverage all year long. Thanks to those who have already hopped on board, and welcome to those joining now. Don’t hesitate to leave a comment below, tweet at me @mattyports, email me at mporter@pbpost.com or say hi if you see me out there.

Q: What are the important rules governing fall practices?

A: Teams are allowed 29 practice sessions, with each session lasting a maximum of three hours. According to a new NCAA rule, two-a-days are limited to five total hours with three hours’ recovery in between. Two-a-days may not be held on consecutive days. Before participating in a full-contact practice, all players must go through an acclimatization period (no two-a-days first five days; and helmets only first two days, helmets and shoulder pads only next two, and full pads on the fifth day).

Q: Can I come watch?

A: Unfortunately, no. Though UM opened several practices to fans in the spring, no plans have been announced for open practices this fall. However, non-scrimmage practices for the first two weeks are open to the media, so we’ll provide all the info we can.

Also, UM’s annual CanesFest event is Aug. 23, and it’s going to be way more exciting than watching the daily grind of drills in extreme South Florida heat. Click here for more info on that.

Q: I’m just checking back into Canes football for the season. What was the major news this summer?

A: Can’t hate on that. Hope you enjoyed your summer. You did miss a few things, though.

* The coaching staff was shaken up Friday when linebackers coach Micheal Barrow left, causing the Canes to move Hurlie Brown from running backs to replace him, and Tim “Ice” Harris from operations to replace Brown. Also, ex-Cane Kevin Beard joined the staff.

* We did a long piece on Golden for Monday’s paper. It attempts to present a complete picture of the head coach as he enters an important fourth season at UM. Click here to give it a read.

* Last month, linebackers JaWand Blue and Alex Figueroa were dismissed from school after admitting to very serious crimes. Since the end of last season, scholarship reserves Malcolm Bunche (a key backup on the offensive line), Nate Dortch, Larry Hope, David Perry and Dwyane Hoilett also elected to leave.

A: The biggest issue is at quarterback. The sooner one of the contenders looks like a reliable, steady starter, the better. The smart money is on Heaps, but freshmen BradKaaya and MalikRosier will be given a chance. It’s unknown when Williams will return to practice – it likely will not be during camp – but that will be of high interest when he does. Everyone will want to see how Heaps, Kaaya and Rosier look Tuesday.

If QB play is Issue 1A, the defense is 1B. Defensive coordinator Mark D’Onofrio’s unit simply must be better, and it did look improved in the spring. We’ll see if that carries over. Nearly every starting spot will be contested – Denzel Perryman’s job is safe, we assume – and the battles should be heated.

We’ll be watching to see how Duke Johnson looks coming off his ankle injury. He told us recently things were going well. It’s a big year for him. Other players coming off injuries from last year will be in focus, including Anthony Chickillo, Braxton Berrios, Joseph Yearby, Malcolm Lewis, Herb Waters, Clive Walford, Ladarius Gunter, Rayshawn Jenkins, Deon Bush and Shane McDermott.

I talked about the camp battles on the defensive line, offensive line, wide receivers, linebackers and secondary in this blog post.

Q: Who are the new guys that we should be watching?

A: Aside from Heaps, keep a close eye on Chad Thomas, Yearby, Trevor Darling, Kc McDermott, Darrion Owens and Juwon Young. I wrote about all of them in this blog post (which, obviously, was written before Olsen’s suspension). Also, Trayone Gray, if he qualifies, could turn some heads.

Q: How are the Canes’ scholarship numbers heading into camp?

A: Teams may have up to 85 scholarship players on their rosters, but Miami wants to play below that limit, since it was penalized nine scholarships over a three-year period last October. Al Golden did not want to commit to a number when we asked him last month, saying the situation can be fluid, but he did say he expected it to be somewhere around 80 or 81. It is unclear what scholarship reductions the Canes have already self-imposed.

On Sunday, UM had 76 players on scholarship (38 on offense, including one kicker, and 38 on defense), with two signees yet to arrive. There are 12 seniors on scholarship, 19 juniors, 16 sophomores and 28 freshmen, all but four of are true freshmen.

As you realize, those were made-up questions (the answers were factual). Let’s hear from some real people, via Twitter:

Q: Which players will be in red or yellow jerseys? – Jordan Ash

A: We’ll mention jersey colors a lot during camp (and the season). UM uses color-coded practice jerseys to denote player status. Red means the player cannot take contact and is likely not participating in practice at all. Yellow means limited contact and participation. Then there are the jerseys players earn on merit. Black denotes a defensive team leader (almost always a first-stringer or co-first stringer). Green: a defensive player. Orange: an offensive team leader. White: an offensive player.

To answer the question: we won’t know until practice begins (or Golden tells us Monday).

Q: Does (or should) Brad Kaaya get some of Kevin Olsen’s reps now that he is suspended for the opener? — David Kenyon

A: That’s a good question for Golden and offensive coordinator JamesColey. The answer probably depends on how they feel about Olsen (and if Olsen plans to stick around). Kaaya is considered UM’s quarterback-of-the-future, so any extra time he gets is probably a good thing for the Canes. Malik Rosier will also compete for time.

Q: What can we expect at the safety competitions? Bush, Jenkins, Crawford, Carter plus the new guys make it interesting. – Carl Bleich

A: Well, that: competition. Carter looks like the fast, physical presence UM has been lacking. Crawford is a bit undersized, but tough and smart. Bush is a former four-star recruit who might actually be healthy this year. Jenkins started 12 games last year and was capable. The latter three are juniors, so they may be ready to realize their potential. Carter is a sophomore, and two freshmen should compete for reps. Wide-open.

Q: Will we be playing more man coverage? – Alexander Muzii

A: The Canes have a little more speed at defensive back this year – Corn Elder, Artie Burns and Antonio Crawford in particular are very fast – but it depends on whether the defensive line can pressure. No team can expect their defensive backs to cover for six or seven seconds, like UM’s did at times last year.

Q: Will the defense make tackles at the point of contact? – Better Duck

A: Golden was pleased with his defense’s tackling performance in the spring. UM replaced several slower, less-agile players with speedier athletes. Everyone who returns, as is always the case, is a year older and more experienced. It stands to reason they will be able to tackle better than last year, but we won’t know until after 8 p.m. on Labor Day.

Q: Can the Canes break and then stay relevant in the top 25? — Mark

A: Breaking in depends on how the Louisville game goes. A win there makes UM a strong contender to be ranked, especially if they blow out Florida A&M and Arkansas State in the weeks after. A loss will hurt voters’ confidence in the Canes; it’s a road game and Louisville’s good, but considered by most to be about Miami’s level. The Canes would have a score a huge win at Nebraska and trounce Duke the week after to get voters on their side.

Q: If I’m trying to watch from the adjacent parking lot, will I still be kicked out if I wear my fake moustache and sunglasses? — amv